Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: An improved media server interconnect to subscriber terminals is accomplished with a plurality of media servers at a headend where each media server provides one or more programs for distribution to the subscriber terminals. An array of modulators connects a requested media asset, such as a video program or WEB page, from a media server to a requesting subscriber terminal. A connection manager responds to a media asset request from the requesting subscriber terminal and selects a source server to provide the requested media asset and selects a modulator in the array to send the requested media asset from the source server to the requesting subscriber terminal. The array of modulators acts as a two stage switch between the source server and the requesting subscriber terminal. A selected modulator in said array is the switch point in the two stage switch. The connection manager controls a first stage of the switch by selecting the selected modulator to receive the requested media asset from the source server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking latency in an interactive television network. One embodiment of the invention initially receives a command pertaining to an interactive selection from a viewer. The invention then determines if latency is associated with the execution of the received command. If so, the invention (1) begins processing the command, and (2) presents a latency-masking presentation.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: A TV cable system having one set-top per user. The set-top's VCR recording functions are automatically adjusted in a manner to accommodate the occurrence of a program-delay event or a program-cancel event by the TV cable system. The expected begin/stop time-slot during which a program is projected to occur is broadcast by the system's head end to each set-top, and this IPG data is stored in each set-top. Within each set-top, the currently stored IPG-data is periodically compared to IPG-data that was recorded in the set-top's VCR-record-timers at an earlier time. When the recorded IPG-data does not compare to the current IPG-data, the IPG-data that is recorded in the VCR-record-timer is automatically updated to the current IPG-data. When this automatic updating of one VCR-record-timer produces a time-slot conflict with a different VCR-record-timer, the conflict is resolved, either automatically or by a user-alert-message that enables user intervention to resolve the conflict.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting on a television, a combined display of information contained in an event database and television program video content. A set-top terminal receives as input, television program video content signals and information comprising an event database. The set-top terminal converts the information from the event database into a graphical format for display on a television with the television program video content. Updates to the event database are processed and displayed substantially in real-time. The event database may include information for televised events. The set-top terminal automatically tunes, at the viewer's request, to the event for which information is being displayed. Improved processes for combining television program video content and locally generated graphical images are also provided.

Abstract: A system for utilizing the available bit rate in a constrained variable bit rate channel is described. The system receives one or more encoded information streams, each having a variable bit rate. Rate control circuitry controls the rate of transmission of the encoded information streams so that the variable bit rate of the streams is transformed into a constrained variable bit rate, in which the variable bit rate is limited to a predetermined maximum value. A multiplexer multiplexes the encoded information streams for transmission over a channel. The channel may comprise a 6 MHz television channel. The multiplexer also multiplexes the encoded information streams with a secondary information stream for transmission over the channel. For purposes of multiplexer selection of information streams, the secondary information stream is assigned a lower priority than the encoded information streams.

Abstract: An apparatus/method for descrambling a TV cable system transmission that been scrambled using an unknown scrambling algorithm. Insertion apparatus inserts a known visual/electrical characteristic into the TV transmission prior to scrambling by the unknown scrambling algorithm. The scrambled TV transmission, the scrambled insert-characteristic, and an encrypted message that defines the unscrambled insert-characteristic, are sent to all set-tops within the cable system. A set-top descrambler at each system-authorized set-top operates to descramble the scrambled insert-characteristic. The encrypted message is decrypted at each system-authorized set-top, to thereby reproduce the unscrambled insert-characteristic.

Abstract: A spectrum manager and a spectrum management method for a communication network. The preferred embodiment is a method of controlling the transmission of multiple information streams in a communication network comprising the steps of providing a communication network and a plurality of information streams corresponding to a plurality of analog and digital services provided by the network; assigning to each information stream one or more spectrum slices within a predetermined frequency spectrum so that each information stream has a different spectrum slice(s) assigned to it; transmitting the information streams over the communication network within the information streams' assigned spectrum slices; assigning to at least one information stream a new spectrum slice within the predetermined frequency spectrum; and transmitting the information streams over the communication network within the information streams' assigned spectrum slices.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing a full service cable television system. The cable system incorporates a digital and analog transmission architecture capable of delivering a high number of high quality television programs, advanced cable services, and online services to a subscriber's home. The cable system comprises a cable headend, at least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. Programs and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems. The set-top terminal incorporates a central processing unit, a unified memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry, I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.